Oil-tank



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R. THAYER.

OIL TANK. v 7 9- Patented Nov, 4, 1884. I *3 h I "m. jy/r/ -\r i ii VA 7 V V m V V. l Z W Q Q: "is

i oiz 5 7C SZeam m lmi26) 5c T n c i, I 1. The herein-described method of prevent-i ing explosions in oil-tanks, which consists in forcing steam into the tank above the oil, whereby all of the accumulated explosive gasesi are saturated with moisture and rendered non explosive, substantially as and for the purpose specified. l

2. Theherein-described IIIGthOd Of prevent-i ing explosions in oil-tanks, which consistsinl Lforeing steam into the tank above the oil,\

wvhereby all of the accumulated explosive;

gases are saturated with moisture and ren= dered nonexplosive, and, finally, expellingi staid mixture of steain and gases from the tank,

{their place being supplied by steam alone, substantial] y as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of 'whioh invention I hereunto set my hand.

0h. enser v est/L I I Intent on z i gm a. 6. if

P W N. PETERS Phciuiilhmm To all whom it may gorwernr t tan slim?) an's sent THAYER, on PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 6.-3o7',e9,'aatea November4,1884.

A pplicat-ion fil ed May .29, 1884. .(h 'o model'll Be itknown that I, Ross-ELL THAY R, of

- the city andcounty of Philadelphia, and State,

, of the oil-storage ane, ethane, propane,

' when mixed of the tank above the 'oilcal disturbance of the atmosphere occurs and of Pennsylvania, useful Improvement in Oil-Tanks, of which the following isa specification;

My invention has reference toistoragewessels for storing volatile liquids in bulk; and it consists in a tank having means, substantially as hereinafter set forth, to create aforced displacement of the accumulated volatile and explosive hydrocarbon gases in the upper part tanks by the introduction of steam under more or less pressure, which steam saturates the explosive vapors with moisture,

have invented a new and rendering them non'-explosi-ve; further, in

ejecting the mixture of saturated hydrocarbon vapors and steam from the reservoir or storage tank by forcing therein an excess of steam, all of which is fully set fort-h in the following specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form part-thereof.

The large iron tanks in which petroleum-oil is stored very frequently explode during thunder-storms, and it has always been supposed that the explosion was caused by the tanks being struck by lightning. This, however, is not the case in most instances, and after a careful investigation of the subject I'discow ered that the explosion is caused not by the lightning itself, but by the concussion pro duced by the thunder caused thereby, the concussion of the atmosphere'cxploding the oiltanks in the following manner: a mixture of a great number of paraffines differing greatly'in volatility. 'Of these methand qnortane are gaseous at ordinarytemperatures, while-qnintanc vaporizes at 86 izes at 154 Fahrenheit, septanc at from 198 to 201 Fahrenheit, and the other constituents require a higher temperature before becoming gaseous. Now, all these hydrocarbons, witha small quantity of atmosphe'ric air, become highly explosive, and those of heat to, cause them to ignite. In the tanks used for storing oil the above and other high- Petroleum is Fahrenhit, sextane 'vaporenumerated above require but a small amount ly-explosive gases accumulate under the roof .When an electrt gases as rapidly as theyjare produced," and the tanks in which the explosive gases are all cona severe flash of lightning takes place, a very powerful concussion is produced, and this is communicated instantlyto the gases in the oil-tank above theoil, producing increased heat in the already-heated gases therein and causing them to explode, thus blowing up the tank and settingfire to the oil. This can be entirely avoided by removing the dangerous proper way of doing this is .to thoroughly ventilate the space above the surface of the oil, or any other places where the gases could possibly accumulate. This can be done by forcing steam under pressure into the tank above the oil, and preferably in such a maner as to eject all of the explosive gases after saturating the same, and rendering them n'on explosix e and incapable of ignition except by great heat. It is desirable. that the steanrbe forced in at the top and gases -ejected on or near the oil-level, or vice versa. If found desirable, the ejected gases may be condensed and the oil thussaved, which would otherwise be lost. 1

In the drawings, Figure l is ascctional clevation of an oil tank embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing three densed by the same condenser. I The condensationof the volatile and explosive gases may be produced whether steam be used or not. For instance, air may be forced into eject the gases; or; they may be sucked off and forced through a condensen; or steam may be forced into thetank, and the mixture of steam and gaspassed into the condenser;

A. is the tank, and ll is the cover, said parts being connnonly made of sheet-iron.

O are vclitilatirig-apertures arranged in the top of the tank and just above the level of the oil, substantially as shown.

D is a suction-pipe which connects with a boiler,J,by a pipe,L,supplicd with a valve, K.

F is the discharge-pipe for the oil from the tank.

lr is a stand-pipe 0r water-column,having valved overflow-pipe g, and connecting with a'sonrce of water-supply, as pump I. The

bottom of the tank A by a pipe H.

march H1 bottom of the stand-pipe Gis connected to the I03 The operation is as follows: Some water K is forced into the bottom of tank A, and upon this the oil J is placed in the usual 11131111812 If there is not suflicient oil to fill tankAup to the ventilating-apertures C, more .water is iorcedinto the pipe G and also tank A. By this means the oil is made to rise to the desired height, so that there shall be a minimum space in the tank above the oil, to the end that the volatile gases given off shall be rcadilyremoved by allowing steam topass into the tank by pipes L and D, as indicated by arrows in Fig. 1, first saturating the gases and rendering them non-explosive, and then ejectingthenr from the apertures G. If it be desired to empty the tanker remove any part of the oil,

water is forced into the-tank, as before, and the discharge-pipe Fis opened, allowing the oil to runoff... The column of water in the pipe G upto the'overflow g is of such a height as to balance the oil in the tankwhen its-height is sufiicient'to just cover the outlet F. By keeping the pipe F and overflow open and pumping in fresh water the oil will continue. to run' out-until the water in pipe G and tank A is on the same l'evel,'when the last portion of oil may be expelled by closing the overflow g, and thereby increasing the height of the standpipe. \Vith this apparatus the height of oil in.

the tank is always the same, and the oilis partly cooled by the water upon which it rests. ,lf

' maybe used by itself or in conjunction with desired, the pipeD may communicate with a suction-fan, E, and the gases may-besucked out of the tank. TVhen not. in use, the valve M may be closed to prevent the steam from pipe L passing t-hrouglr the fan. The steam .the air-draft, it'desired;

If desired, a large number of tanks-may be purified by a single pump or exhauster, E,.as indicated in Fig. iii-which the pipes D from QUDIDEH U-ILU run IURN COPY.

tanks may connect with a single main,D', com.- mon to all, and the vapors thus extracted may be condensed in a single condenser, H, and then collected in a tank, I, if desired.

WVhile I have shownthe apparatus as employing anexhauster, it is self-evident; that a force or-pressure blower might be used, and

the air driven in by pipe D or apertures C,

and then allowed to escape or be colleeted,and then condensed as before.

The locations otfthc pipe D and apertures C are immaterial to my invention, for they 2. Theherein-descrihed method of 'preventing explosions in oil-tanks, which consists in forcing steam into the tank above'the oil, 1

whereby allotlthe accumulated explosive gases; are saturated with moisture and rendered non-explosive, and, finally, expelling said mixture of steam and gases from the tank,

their place. being supplied by steam alone,

substantially as and for the purpose specified. In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand. a 3

RUSSELL THAYFiR V Witnesses: I

R. M. HUNTER,

. WILLIAM G. liIAYNE. 

